Honor, remember: Sterling man promotes flag campaign
As a lifelong Marine brat and retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, David Caswell understands what it means to serve the country. He also recognizes the importance of honoring those who have sacrificed themselves for democracy.
The Sterling resident found just the way to do this by promoting the "Honor and Remember" campaign, a nationwide movement to fly a flag with a symbol specifically honoring those who have fallen in the line of duty. And he has made it his personal crusade to get Alaska on board with him.
"I have a goal before the end of the year to give this introductory presentation to every city council of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Borough Assembly, all fraternal and all service organizations," said the Honor and Remember Campaign's state director. Caswell is also the office manager for the area's Vet Center.
"I want to make sure every Gold Star parent, spouse or child has the opportunity to receive one of these flags," he said.
The Honor and Remember flag is red, white, blue and gold. A flame is encased by the gold star at its center above a depiction of a folded American flag.
The red background symbolizes the blood spilled for the nation, with the star's colors representing different aspects of the military sacrifice, the flame as a sign of remembrance and the folded flag as a final tribute. The words "Honor and Remember" are printed below the symbol.
Caswell said he found out about the Honor and Remember campaign from his wife in January. It struck a chord with him, he said, and he contacted the national organization to begin the Alaska chapter -- one of only four state chapters in the country. Since then he's been diligently working to spread the word.
"I thought the contiguous United States would be the ones to get on board first but Dave had a passion for this," said George Lutz of Virginia, who founded the non-profit organization for the Honor and Remember campaign after his son, Tony, was killed by a sniper in Iraq. "I believe he's someone that has a heart for those families that have lost so much."
Caswell explained that the Honor and Remember flag will in no way replace the American flag. It will not be presented to families at a loved one's funeral like the stars and stripes.
"We don't want to detract from the dignity or ceremony of that particular event," he said.
The Honor and Remember flag would be presented to the surviving family of fallen military personnel at a later date like a Memorial Day ceremony or church service, he said. The campaign's hope is that the U.S. Congress adopts resolution for the flag that will order the display of it on specific dates like Veterans Day and the Fourth of July at various federal agencies.
On those days it would be flown in conjunction with the American flag.
"I think it's long overdue. We've been existence as a country for 200 years and we're just now getting around to recognizing the sacrifice of individuals in a personal manner," he said.
Caswell said that at this time the country only honors veterans a few days a year but the Honor and Remember flag would bring that commemoration to the forefront.
He wants people to "see it and think about sacrifices that caused the flag," he said.
To Caswell, the campaign has a deep meaning, which drives his personal crusade.
"I think every patriotic American can at some point in their life feel a kinship to somebody who died so we can enjoy the freedoms we have," he said.
He said that over the course of American history more than 1.6 million people have sacrificed themselves for freedom.
"Any one of those 1.6 million people who died did it so I could live the lifestyle I live," he said.
That lifestyle includes riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and grooming his conspicuous World Champion beard. Caswell won third place at the World Beard and Moustache Championships last spring in the "Verdi" category for his short beard with styled mustache.
Currently, Caswell is recruiting more officers for Alaska's chapter of the campaign and eventually hoping to take it statewide. Four local organizations including the Elks and American Legion have adopted a resolution in support of the flag. He's hoping the Kenai and Soldotna city councils will, too.
"The families deserve to know we're recognizing and supporting their loved ones that gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and freedom," said Soldotna Mayor Peter Micciche, who will be co-sponsoring a resolution in support of the flag.
Lutz said that he sees the flag as growing from state to state before becoming a federal law, and Caswell is helping the effort with the grassroots development in Alaska.
"In a very short time he's made amazing progress," he said about Caswell.
Anyone interested in sponsoring or donating to the campaign can contact Caswell at 598-3105. For more information, visit the Web site at honorandremember.org.
"It's going to take a lot more that I can personally do myself," he said.
Brielle Schaeffer can be reached at brielle.schaeffer@peninsulaclarion.com.